Chapter 169 Negotiation

North Kannan has always been a monotonous and extremely boring town. It seems that this town has been independent of time and history since its founding. Wars, parades, and competitions have never changed the town's unchanging background. Even though it is now located at the junction of two important states, North Carolina still refuses any change from external factors.

In the middle of winter, life in the small town is as boring as a tomb. The sun hanging high in the sky brings no warmth and does nothing but color the snow particles blown up by the strong wind.

Families would rather huddle at home and warm themselves by the fire than gather around the only bar in town. The bartender nodded his head and dozed off at the bar, completely forgetting or remembering that there were two customers nestled in the least noticeable corner of the room.

Phil Garcia turned the hair ring on his finger, sat at the table with his hands crossed, and looked carefully at the man opposite who was studying the regulations. Even though he had made sufficient preparations before coming, he had considered and investigated many aspects and found out that the Muggle in front of him had definitely never been under the Imperius Curse and showed no signs of being coerced. Most people still disapproved of him going to North Carolina to meet alone.

The brows of the person opposite him, who already had deep wrinkles on his forehead, wrinkled more and more tightly. The thin paper was pinched into many wrinkles, and his hair ring was turned around again. He straightened his back and refused to show any abnormality.

The more he was in a leadership position, the more he understood that they did not have much leverage.

"You want to persuade my group to allow the free development of Massachusetts, and secretly send people who are fleeing and deeply 'persecuted' to Massachusetts, for the sake of freedom and the will of the country," in fact, the two sides had faced each other a long time ago Today’s theme is well understood, and now the pretentious review of the regulations and the test is nothing more than giving each other time to organize their words. Crouch put down the regulations in his hand and looked at the leader in front of him who looked nothing like a nineteen-year-old youth. "You guys are still fighting fiercely in New York. The whole country is noisy and external pressure is exerted. If the whole country is not careful, it may be possible." Fall into the abyss, your freedom is selfish and narrow."

Phil Garcia has encountered such eyes and words too many times. He had long since lost the anger he had when he was young and argumentative. Today, when he heard the person opposite repeating a similar argument, he didn’t even breathe too much. He stopped turning his hair ring and instead held it tightly: “I’m afraid you The overall situation is narrow, sir."

Regardless of the other party's anger, he still chose to speak out. Now he didn't have much time to tolerate his circumlocution: "What you said is the overall situation is nothing more than weighing and weighing. We do not judge for justice, but only for interests, and we are only fighting for freedom for justice and fair judgment, and speaking for the weak." He looked at the dark hair ring in trance, "We have missed the opportunity. , Sir. We had no chance to fight when your predecessor used force to push for the passage of the proposal, and we had no ability to fight when he tried to control his thoughts and interpret his ideals. If we continue to be silent like this, everyone will be on the train that falls off the cliff.

" The other party banged on the table as if he was lost in thought. He continued to add fuel to the fire on the basis of righteousness: "You can still balance the left and right now, but you also know that this will not last long. Sooner or later, the drastically changing situation will prompt you to make decisions. Choice," the wind blew outside the window. The colder the wind, the lower his voice became. "Both choices are extremely difficult. Think about your predecessor, sir."

Crouch lowered his head. It seemed to Phil Garcia that he was thinking, and the frequency of tapping his index finger on the table suddenly became more frequent. Finally, he shook his body slightly, raised his head and looked at the young man opposite again: "You are threatening me. , I will never forget how my predecessor died."

Buried deep under the fear is apathy, not even the pride of winning.

"I'm just expressing my humble opinion about the current situation. I have no other intention." Phil Garcia responded in an unassuming manner, "Accusing us of using methods that are not as good as yours. Our people have negotiated with you many times. That accident may have There are other weird things, our philosophy is not that extreme."

"It's not a threat," Crouch sneered, stopped tapping the table endlessly, put his hands on his chin and looked at Phil Garcia, as if he was interested in him. Stronger interest, "If I agree to your conditions, I promise to ensure the free development of Massachusetts."

Suddenly hearing these words, the calmness and composure on Phil Garcia's face no longer seemed like a disguise, and Crouch couldn't help but feel even more excited. He paused for a while and said slowly, "It's just a hypothesis, don't get me wrong. Even I have to bear pressure from many parties now. I'm very curious about how Mr. Garcia wants to hold on to this small place in Massachusetts." "

As if he had expected that he would have such a question, Phil Garcia answered without hesitation: "They can't cap the ocean, and we won't just stick to escaping. This question doesn't make much sense, sir, we can. I have already shown you some of my abilities by holding on until today."

Naturally, he couldn't fully reveal it to this Muggle.

"Oh..." Crouch let out a sigh of unknown meaning, but there was no ridicule, but Phil Garcia was even more unwilling to let down his guard, tense and ready to deal with the next more difficult difficulties.

Unexpectedly, the other party immediately jumped to the topic and looked at the hair ring in his hand: "This unique ring should belong to a certain girl." Crouch showed a gentle smile that was incompatible with the current situation, "I didn't expect you still have it. My sweetheart, Mr. Garcia."

The sudden mention of personal matters was by no means unfounded. Phil Garcia was more cautious: "She died."

"It's a pity," Crouch clicked his tongue, "You made a lot of preparations. Sticking to your so-called justice, I will naturally not doubt the strength of the fortress. It is really nostalgic. At that time, I was still the deputy of my predecessor, paying attention to the situation in the east. I fully thought that the capital could last for at least a month, but I didn't expect that I couldn't escape. That law."

Looking at Phil Garcia's eyes, he became more and more unscrupulous: "The strongest fortress is often broken from the inside."

For a moment, Phil Garcia almost had an illusion that this Muggle was very weird, he seemed to be. Knowing everything, today is just a joke, even more serious - just to lead them into a more dangerous trap.

However, when he saw the unfaithful regret and seemingly repressed emotions in the eyes in front of him, he dispelled this illusion. Before he could continue to think deeply, the other party started a new round of statements without stopping: "You acted quickly and settled my family in place." The words were followed by a deep sigh, "I want to see Ilvermorny. "

I can grant you any other request you have, including your family," Phil Garcia replied almost without thinking, "Except for the last one, sorry sir, just like you won't show all your cards, we will." There is also a bottom line that cannot be crossed."

There is always an indescribable magic in the way this young man looks at people, and it is almost difficult to reject him when he looks at people with those eyes that carry true feelings. However, Crouch was not discouraged by his rejection and looked back at him with the same sincerity or even stronger emotion: "But this is the fastest way to convince my team. If I can't actually observe and evaluate what we may bear, The risk will be a longer pull." He glanced at the ring on Phil Garcia's hand casually, "You are nobler than me and understand that time is more precious than gold now."

Phil Garcia did not respond, Crouch said. Without another word, he leaned back. He has guided the situation to such a point, and after two years of hard work, he knows the importance of luck better than anyone else.

He would not foolishly squander his already elusive luck.

Phil Garcia's fists clenched and loosened, and the sound of the wind outside the window disappeared at this moment. The fire went out with a puff, and no one had the intention to add it. The heartbeat between the two clearly echoed in the room where the needle could be heard.

I don’t know how many times the hair ring has been turned on my finger.

"I promise you." Finally, Phil Garcia exhaled a breath of white breath that was still frosty, and pulled out the wand extremely slowly, his movements slowing to an abnormal level, as if this could delay the rhythm.

Ilvermorny, which has set up a lot of protection, suddenly wants to accept visitors, which is bound to not be as simple as throwing out a door key.

As he chanted the incantation, he only saw the smile spread on the opposite face.

There was a loud bang and the whole bar shook. He was caught off guard and was splashed with blood all over his face.

The person who slowly fell down had a weird smile on his face until he died.

A hoarse roar spread far and wide in the empty snow not far away: "For us! For freedom!" The harsh

noise woke up the sleeping bartender. As soon as he woke up, he smelled the blood that could not be dissolved in the air. He couldn't help it . Avoiding being face to face with the scene in front of him, he screamed and crawled out of the shop. The scream spread like ripples, and the amplified roar just now completely destroyed the tranquility of the small town after the snow.

Phil Garcia knew he had fallen into the trap without thinking. He waved his wand sharply and a silver swan emerged from the tip of the wand and penetrated into the air behind him. But he fearlessly raised his wand to block the light of the patron saint behind him.

The sunlight that penetrated the room was much dimmed. He raised his finger and pressed the hair ring to his lips.

"It's a noble act, but it's too late, Mr. Garcia. You made the wrong decision, and countless people will be buried with you." The high-pitched voice surpassed the coldness of the snow and could make people shiver for no reason. "If you are willing to follow the example of the principal of Kodos Dorez, there is still a way for others to survive."

With just a flick of the looming red wand, Phil Garcia fell heavily against another wall. Countless wisps of black smoke have wrapped around the patron saint and disappeared.

Ignoring the pain all over his body, he shouted quickly to the patron saint: "The defensive spell is broken! They are coming! Let those children run away first!"

Riddell pulled Mu Yu and stood condescendingly in front of him, twirling his wand at him, But the eyes never fell on him: "I don't have much patience."

The giant snake coiled around them docilely, staring at the enemy on the ground who was about to be crucified, and raised its triangular head greedily.

Mu Yu was tightly held by him, just like the night when he reshaped his body. She was not allowed to break away, and she would not think about breaking free in vain. She looked at Phil Garcia silently, as if she was completely curious, but everyone present knew that she didn't pay much attention to it either.

She only enjoys the pleasure of planning and guiding the chess game, and is not very excited about the results in front of her.

She only paused for a moment when crossing the hair ring, but it was only that moment.

"You have withdrawn your troops from the Magic Congress. You have been waiting for today." Phil Garcia raised his hand in vain. He couldn't even wave his wand without reciting a spell. He had imagined the worst outcome countless times and was prepared for all battles, but he did not expect that he would be so powerless and weak when they faced each other face to face. "We will not compromise. Everyone, old people, young people, children, from building the fortress From that moment on, there was no thought of compromise. Marseilles had long been prepared to fight to the end and speak out with blood."

His eyes were clear and clear, and the enemy was still at a disadvantage. "You can. They recreated us into the second Shen family, but they couldn't stop our voices."

"You are wrong," Mu Yu looked at the ring again, ignoring the pain caused by his hand being squeezed, and a deep, A wound that would never heal slowly appeared on Phil Garcia's neck. "There is no whole Massachusetts."

She pointed out to him the isolated scene outside. The dilapidated and narrow tavern was almost overwhelmed by the crowds who heard the news. , there are also a few lines of bloody words written by the murderer just scratched on the dirty glass.

Drops of blood fell on the spotless hair ring.

"This is the second time. Everyone has witnessed the methods you used for your ideals. Most people will not find peace under such obvious extremes as you." She watched with satisfaction as her hair ring was completely stained with blood. "They There will be a long period of internal strife. During this period, only Ilvermorny is left to fight alone, and your voices can only move you."

She smiled sweetly at the dying man in front of her and said, "Go on, come on. Mr. Xia. "

The strong blood sublimated and fermented in the cold air, enough to make anyone gag. However, for them, it is more like a kind of enjoyment, indicating that victory is within easy reach.

"Let's go, Yu," Riddle held her tightly and gently pulled her over so that she no longer wanted to see the body of Barty Crouch Jr., his eyes were still full of the bewitching madness she was familiar with, "You "I said, let's go together." "Madman," Mu Yu, who had always been submissive at such times, refused to move, as if he was determined to find something in his red eyes, "You have often said such things since

the incident in Northern Europe."

Looking at the shallow reflection of herself in those eyes, she did not dwell too much on this extremely dangerous topic. She only gently pressed her lips to those pale and bloodless lips: "I'm kidding," she touched Na Gini's head seemed to have no idea what such a temptation or provocation would bring, and she even seemed not to realize what she said, "Nagini is starving, but she can have a full meal today."